Lexington, KY—The highly anticipated battle of the Wildcats kicked off on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the iconic Memorial Coliseum, with the winner earning a spot in the Sweet Sixteen. Kentucky and K-State were ready for a showdown that promised plenty of excitement.
From the get-go, Kentucky came out strong, winning the tip and hitting their first three baskets to energize the crowd. Early on, it looked like the Wildcats from Kentucky were in control.
However, K-State made an impactful substitution midway through the first period, bringing in senior forward #12 Kennedy Taylor. This change sparked the Wildcats from K-State, who responded with a 7-0 run to tie the game at 7-7. Kentucky’s Georgia Amoore hit a three-pointer at the 3:30 mark to break the tie, but it was Kentucky’s Micaela Hassett and Maddie Strack who dominated the first quarter, helping Kentucky maintain a 20-15 lead at the end of the period.
The second period saw Kentucky get off to a strong start, scoring the first six points. K-State responded, with Poindexter hitting back-to-back threes to keep her team in the game. As the clock wound down, K-State took their first lead of the game with just 50.7 seconds left, as Lee sank two free throws. She would hit two more free throws shortly after, pushing K-State’s lead to four points.
Kentucky wasn’t done yet, and a late basket by Lawrence cut K-State’s lead to just two points heading into halftime. The first half was a competitive back-and-forth affair, with K-State outshooting Kentucky from beyond the arc and at the free-throw line.
The third quarter was more of the same—an intense exchange of baskets. Strack made a crucial shot inside, followed by a successful three-point play that helped Kentucky regain some momentum. The game reached a fever pitch at the four-minute mark, with both teams trading threes. A controversial call against Kentucky led to a timeout, and after the break, K-State made one of two free throws before Kentucky went on a 6-0 run.
Poindexter answered with her fourth three-pointer of the game to keep K-State within striking distance. At the end of the third quarter, Kentucky had a slight advantage, scoring 22 points to K-State’s 21, with the score standing at 64-56 in favor of Kentucky.
Entering the final period, K-State trailed by just one point at 54-53. The intensity escalated as Amoore opened the scoring with a quick basket for Kentucky, only for Poindexter to answer with another deep shot from beyond the arc.
With 6:25 remaining, Kentucky’s Key intercepted a pass and passed it to Amoore, who then assisted Lawrence on an incredible two-point bucket. The crowd erupted at Memorial Coliseum, and K-State was forced to take a timeout to regroup.
Coming out of the timeout, K-State fed Lee for two back-to-back buckets inside, while Kentucky missed two shots on their next possession. With 4:23 left, Brooks of Kentucky called another timeout. After that, Lee redeemed herself with a mid-range jumper, cutting K-State’s lead to one point, 61-60.
Kentucky quickly went on a 6-0 run, giving them a 64-61 lead and getting the crowd into the game. K-State responded with a three-pointer, but Kentucky answered with two more points.
With 38.7 seconds remaining, K-State took back the lead, 67-66, after hitting back-to-back three-pointers. The drama didn’t stop there—Amoore then hit a huge three-pointer for Kentucky, giving them a 69-67 lead with just 8 seconds left on the clock.
K-State wasn’t done yet, though. With the game on the line, K-State hit a mid-range shot to tie it up at 69-69, sending the game into overtime after a missed potential game-winner by Kentucky’s Lawrence.
In overtime, Kentucky’s Key opened the scoring with a quick bucket to give Kentucky the lead, but K-State responded immediately. With 2:25 left, Amoore hit a clutch mid-range shot to give Kentucky a 75-74 advantage, but K-State’s Poindexter came right back with a three-pointer to retake the lead.
Amoore answered once again with another mid-range jumper, putting Kentucky back on top, 79-77, forcing K-State to call a timeout with just over a minute left to play.
With 1:09 remaining and the Sweet Sixteen on the line, K-State hit another crucial shot to go up 80-79, sealing the victory in an emotional, heart-stopping finish. Kentucky fought hard but fell short in a thrilling 80-79 loss.
With the defeat, Kentucky’s season comes to a close with a 23-8 record, while K-State advances to the next round in the tournament.
